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Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Trees in the news - Monash VIC and Girraween NSW

A couple of recent local tree related controversies

Monash Vegetation overlay to stay
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/vegetation-overlay-to-stay/2307020.aspx

- Good news

Fruit and vegies die a slow death in Girraween

http://parramatta-advertiser.whereilive.com.au/news/story/fruit-and-vegies-die-a-slow-death/

- Not so good. It will be interesting to see what is found about this. What's toxic to plants is not good for us either.

Friday, April 29, 2011

Integral Energy article - Illawarra Mercury

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/tensions-flare-over-excessive-tree-trimming/1327517.aspx


Tensions flare over 'excessive' tree trimming
BY MICHELLE WEBSTER
08 Oct, 2008 03:00 AM
Mangerton's brush box trees are providing a little less shade after an enthusiastic annual trim.
Mangerton Tree Group's Tracey McClintock said the recent pruning of the suburb's trees by Integral Energy had been excessive.
"I'm not sure why they're trimmed so harshly," she said.
"There is bundled cable in a lot of the area now so I don't know why you can't have trees grow closer."
Arborist Warwick Varley said electricity providers were required to follow specific tree pruning guidelines, but tensions between Integral Energy and residents would continue until overhead powerlines were phased out.
"Unfortunately, two years ago, there was a re-write of clearance requirements expanded to about 2-3m, depending on the voltage of the lines," he said. "The most practical method is to place powerlines underground."
Ms McClintock said trees should be trimmed or removed when public safety was an issue but argued higher value should be placed on the suburb's greenery.
"If they have the guidelines why would they exceed them?" she said.
"Sometimes there are ways that people can avoid removing trees but they don't consider the alternatives, they'll cut down a 50-year-old tree to widen their driveway.
"Surely there's ways of doing things that everyone can be happy with."
An Integral Energy spokeswoman said two trees on Western Ave, Mangerton, had been removed as part of a large project to replace three power poles. The spokeswoman said further investigation into procedures would take place.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

And some more useful links

http://www.nationalregisterofbigtrees.com.au/tree_register_gallery.php - Big Trees!! http://milliontrees.wordpress.com/deforestation-2/ - Interesting info on deforestation of Eucalyptus plantations which is occurring in San Francisco USA http://git-forestry.com/index.htm - Spanish forestry info site, with helpful Eucalypt identification charts

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Don't know if you've noticed, but trees have no voice

I'll just start with a few links I have found while pondering this subject. http://kunjmann.blogspot.com/2010/08/tree-rights-versus-human-rights.html - the beginning of an idea from one guy in India http://savingourtrees.wordpress.com/tag/energy-australia/ - the "community" view http://www.zazzle.com.au/when_you_top_your_trees_the_terrorists_win_bumper_sticker-128638921744841070 - An American perspective? http://saveourfigs.wordpress.com/tag/arboriculture/ - vigilantes make noise http://www.integral.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/a5fbc080405ac1fbb4d1bcdccb7f5ab5/Tree+Management+Plan.pdf?MOD=AJPERES - Nice policy, but it seems like a lot of sound and fury.... http://moreland-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/moreland-seeks-tree-clip-exemption/ - An example of the kerfuffle going on around the country over the horrific hack jobs energy companies are inflicting on trees.... and the obligatory council-bashing comments from readers I'll be posting photos of examples of energy companies' "pruning" as I get them. Submissions welcome. http://www.habitatadvocate.com.au/?page_id=123 - thought-provoking blog